Tuesday, March 31, 2015

you meet yourself coming and going? I do. Some days I don't know how I keep all my balls I'm juggling in the air. But when I sit and think about it, I do know. It is only by the grace of God. I am so blessed to be healthy and able. So blessed. I won't complain about being busy. But I am busy, dreadfully so. So much so that I'm going to be honest and say...I think I've had a panic attack (or four) lately. I've got long lists to do and push through and it seems like I'm a magnet and stuff keeps falling in my plate. But I'm going to get it all done and I'm going to do it with a smile on my face and peace in my heart...one way or another!

:)

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Lots has happened to our little family since we last were together...

My paternal grandmother - Frances Eleanor Epperson passed away at 95 years young with not a gray hair on her head. (and she didn't color her hair!) I spent every Sunday at my Grandma and Grandpa Epperson's house when I was growing up. I have very fond memories of her. I was her first grandchild and the only girl until her last grandchild was born 13 years later and was a girl too.

She taught me many things in life, but the best was to be honest, stay busy, stand firm in your faith, be a good wife and mother and her favorite parting words - remember you are an Epperson. She was all those things and more. She made darn good fried chicken, persimmon pudding, strawberry icebox jam (that she always put on our ice cream) and out of this world caramel corn. She loved cats and I loved her. Rest in the arms of your savior Grandma.

~My Grandpa and Grandma Epperson on their wedding day~

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St. Patrick's Day came...

and I baked cookies for more practice! Katie helped me decorate them this time and I think we did a good job! We had fun!!

Jacob was honored as a Panther Plus Award Winner which means he is recognized as a leader in the classroom. Way to go JAKE!

Spring Break had us going huntin'...

for a prom dress that is...here are the girls on Girls Day Out at the Cheesecake Factory, right before we bagged the dress!

I won't show a picture of Katie yet...but all I can say is: BEAUTIFUL!

I finally *finished*...

my very first punch needle project. This is:

"My Black Hen"

by Teresa Kogut

and I just finished it into this door knob hanger this afternoon.

I used jute twine as the edging, after I made it into twisted cording...

I added the sweet little black gingham bow :)

and hung it on my NEW Pantry door!

Yep! we had a pantry built in our kitchen...

we needed one 9 years ago, but better late than never!

all finished, but we are just waiting on the paint to cure :)

An exciting (for me) thing happened this month....

I was featured in a British Cross Stitch Magazine as a "Stitching Star" in the April Edition of

"Cross Stitch Collection"!

That made me smile, I've never been given the nod before from a public arena.

~ Thank you Cross Stitch Collection Editors! ~

Whew...I'm exhausted writing about all this...

but I think (for the most part) I'm done with the "stuff" that has gone on in the last few weeks.

What's coming up?

Well Ian and Jacob...

are soon to have their Eagle Scout Court of Honor on May 3, 2015!

This is their "formal" Eagle Scout portrait that I took for their invitations and also for their large portrait that will be on display at their Court of Honor reception that I am hosting.

~ I'm going to be completely honest here ~

I'm so proud of them I could bust.

I love them so and I know all parents adore their children so probably isn't a news flash or anything :)

I know they aren't the first kids to make Eagle Scout, certainly aren't the last. They aren't the best kids or the most talented or, etc. etc.

But they are my kids.

I've lived my whole adult life for them and my heart is so full with the blessings that they are to me that I just want to shout it to the world. I love them with my whole heart and I am so proud.

My babies...

So with this looming on the horizon...

I have invitations to send (they are already made (by me) and ordered)

See all those badges? We bought them again and I am framing them (myself) for them as a gift for their accomplishment. That's on the list of "to do's"

make 300 cupcakes

make 300 iced decorated cookies (only one more "practice" coming up here at Easter)

make the decorations for the reception

make the food for the reception

I've got lists people...lots and lots of lists....

:)

Thank you for hanging with me! I've not had much stitching of my own to share. But I sure have been busy finishing for other people. If you are on Facebook look up my Finishing Service page where I update what I've been working on in my finishing studio. There have been lots of lovely stitches that people have stitched and I have finished. Or you can just look above in the Finishing Service tab above which links to my Flickr album. Gain some inspiration!

Until next time...

may I be the first to wish you a most blessed Easter Sunday!

I am actually off work this year. Which is the first Easter Sunday I've been off since Ellie was a baby. So I am planning up a big shindig with the family!

There WILL BE iced cookies so stay tuned :)

I'll be keeping my hands to work and my heart to God, just like always...